Looking for a ride? Public transportation across Ottawa County won't be coming anytime soon

suppliedA survey commissioned by Ottawa County indicates people are more open to an increase in local bus service than in city-to-city routes.

A system of public buses linking Grand Haven, Holland, Grand Rapids, and Allendale is not likely to happen soon, according to Mark Knudsen, of the Ottawa County Planning and Performance Improvement office.

A study by the Muncie, Ind.-based MP2Planning, Knudsen said, found too few people would use the links to pay for the system, and local governments are not showing interest in funding public transportation at this time.

"The study showed the most popular route would be Holland to Grand Rapids, and that was about nine people per hour," Knudsen said. Potential for a route from Grand Haven to Holland was about five to six riders per hour. Ridership at that level would call for fees of about $16 per rider plus support from local government.

"It just wasn't sustainable," Knudsen said.

The conclusions of the report, presented to the department Monday, state, "The analysis and information presented in this report suggests that demand for commuter bus service will be limited. This is due to a number of factors, including low population density and limited local transit service. Survey results show people are interested in public transportation, but want it for medical, shopping, and other uses rather than work trips."

Travel time would also be an issue. "With less than 10 percent of respondents to the general public survey stating they have used transit in West Michigan in the last six months and the short travel times to work or school (less than 20 minutes in the Holland and Grand Rapids areas) the reality of people doubling (or more) their travel time to use transit is not great."

Knudsen said the study could continue after the next census, due to be taken in 2020.